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By: Maria Cieslarczyk This month has been an incredibly busy one, with the publication of my debut poetry book “Constellations of the Damned” (now available to order on Amazon). But in the midst of book promotions and my 9-5 grind at iHeartMedia, I was lucky enough to see not one, not two, not even three…but
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk TW: mention of s*xual assault, abuse Movie spoilers ahead! Rating: 4.5/5 stars. As a horror film fan, I rarely watch them in theaters *cue the need to escape if things get too hairy*! However, I watched this with a group of friends and highly recommend doing so. When I’d get freaked out,
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk Wicked was willfully wonderful. Is it obvious which song from this Broadway show-inspired film was my favorite? (Hint: it’s in the article title). Aside from my desperate attempt at a musical pun, my enjoyment of the movie is multi-layered. Although the film was dazzling, my overall score is a 3.5 out of
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk The fourth annual CJFC (Chicago Japan Film Collective) is back with this year’s theme of “Co-existence,” featuring 11 new films over the course of 11 days. As an Asian-American woman working in media and entertainment, I highly encourage you all to check out foreign films, especially when the opportunity arises. Film collectives
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk FYI – this article is long overdue, but holy smokes surprise: ya girl made it…just in time for Halloween! Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Can attest this makes for a fun date night 😉 You don’t need me to chant his name 3 times…so get your spooky selves off
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Original Poetry by: Maria Cieslarczyk “Zodiac” The stars spoke to me, assured me that it is not a feeble-hearted thing To have been immersed with the duality of mankind And obsessed with our silly human standards of success That the flames don’t burn when you lick them, Drooling out from the soft corner of your
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk TW: Mentions of Human Trafficking, Sweatshops, and Exploitation Last night, I attended a work-sponsored movie premiere for Enrique Santos’ new film City of Dreams (2024). While my colleagues and I had seen the trailer, nothing could’ve prepared me for the intense emotions that rippled through my body during the course of the
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk Quite recently, I finished reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (translated by Eric Ozawa) and my heart was at peace. This feeling did not come from knowing what was coming next, but in finding comfort in the (oftentimes confusing yet humbling) present moment…which is exactly what the novel is
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk The Sunday morning of June 30th , I was lucky enough to attend a Sundance Film Institute x Choose Chicago partnership event that took place right in my city. The program included panels and Sundance Film Festival screenings all weekend long throughout Chicago (from Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30). The
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By: Maria Cieslarczyk Toho Studios and Robot Communications’ action/sci-fi film Godzilla: Minus One (2023) is not only a re-telling of the timeless monster tale; it is at the forefront, an Asian-focused story that delves into the themes of war, found family, and redemption. The film won a 2024 Oscar for the Best Visual Effects Category…and
The Filmscape Reverie 